Chief worry: Gangs

Jones fields wide variety of questions in online chat

STOCKTON - More than half of Stockton's record 71 homicides in 2012 "were directly related to gang activity and many more than that indirectly related to gangs or directly related to criminal groups. There have been very, very few innocent bystander shootings," Police Chief Eric Jones responded to a question posed by "ConcCitz" Monday during a live, one-hour Web chat hosted by The Record.

STOCKTON - More than half of Stockton's record 71 homicides in 2012 "were directly related to gang activity and many more than that indirectly related to gangs or directly related to criminal groups. There have been very, very few innocent bystander shootings," Police Chief Eric Jones responded to a question posed by "ConcCitz" Monday during a live, one-hour Web chat hosted by The Record.

ConcCitz was one of 79 concerned citizens logging in Monday as Jones answered 31 questions online. While the live forum was promoted as focusing on gun violence in Stockton, an area of major concern to residents and police alike, Jones fielded questions ranging from graffiti abatement to permits for carrying a concealed weapon to the department's increasing use of social media.

A question from "robertpri" asked the chief: "The wonderful task force searches of known gangs results in parole violations, arrests, guns and drugs. This is great crime prevention. Can we hope for more?"

"Yes absolutely," Jones responded. "That is a goal of ours in 2013 to continue those very task force collaborative efforts. We continue to work with our federal, state and county partners in combating crime in Stockton together."

The same participant then asked Jones about opportunities to volunteer.

"We have many areas that citizens can volunteer in. For example, we have various watch groups: Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, Park Watch, etc. And we also have some volunteer programs such as VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service), Cadets and a new group just forming called the Sentinels, which is for 18 and above," Jones responded.

During the Web chat, participants were provided links to the Police Department's Web page at stocktongov.com/police where they could learn more about the department's operations and programs. The department's Facebook page at facebook.com/stocktonpolicedepartment provides regular 24-hour updates on police activities.

ConcCitz wanted to know how Jones felt about existing gun laws and how successful prosecutors have been in gaining convictions and taking dangerous criminals off the streets.

"The federal gun charges carry a heavy weight. So we often charge dangerous criminals with weapons with federal charges. That is one reason we partner frequently with ATF (federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and the U.S. Attorney's Office in our operations," Jones responded.

"So the laws on the books, in my opinion, in California, appear sufficient. However, there is a lot of work to be done in enforcing all of these laws. For example, persons who are prohibited from firearms such as the mentally ill or those with prior criminal records. ... The Attorney General's Office and other law enforcement could do more sweeps in this area," Jones added.